SPCA problems continue

by jmaloni

Thu, Feb 9th 2012 06:50 am

Local residents step forward

by Susan Mikula Campbell

The disarray continued this past week at
the SPCA of Niagara, as on Feb. 2 its board of directors announced the hiring
of an independent veterinarian, and mere days later news came that he wouldn't
be hired after all.

As reported in last
week's Tribune, SPCA Executive Director Jon Faso was fired by the board in the
wake of a critical independent report on SPCA of Niagara operations submitted
by the SPCA Serving Erie County. Then, the announcement came that Dr. Grant
Hobika, DVM, formerly of the Lewiston Small Animal Hospital, was hired "to
evaluate all animals and oversee their care, as well as assist in the
development of animal handing protocols, pending selection of an interim director."

The announcement from the board also
indicated that the hiring was needed because of the great number of people who
had submitted resumes for Faso's position and it would take time to evaluate
all the applicants. Meanwhile, community demands for the board to step down as
well continued.

At least two Niagara County residents are
among those willing to step in to fill the breach. Several Erie County names
also have been mentioned.

Andrew Bell, owner of Grandpaws Pet
Emporium in Lewiston, confirmed Wednesday that he has submitted an application
for the position of executive director. Well-known Lewiston resident Mike Shaw,
retired after about 25 years in health care public relations, has expressed
interest in serving on the board of directors.

"I thought I could help," Bell said,
noting that a number of his customers suggested the move. "I probably have a
unique combination of animal care and business experience."

Bell has 10 years of animal management
experience running a kennel in Youngstown. At his shop, customers routinely ask
him for animal care advice. He also has experience with businesses of all
sizes, from a large corporation in England to his current shop. He also worked
with volunteers at the Fichte Eye Center.

"Anyone involved in the SPCA in the future
better be doing it for the good of the animals, because everyone will be
watching them," Bell said.

Shaw just finished four years as president
of the Opportunities Unlimited Foundation board of directors and has been a
member of that board since 2004. That board has been active and successful, he
said, noting that being a board member involves a commitment of time, not just
another item for your resume.

"You've got to help an organization
fulfill its mission in the community. You can't just sit by and assume
everything is running the way it should," he said.

Shaw was especially upset by news of
mistreatment and unnecessary euthanasia of animals at the SPCA, because of a
personal connection. He adopted his husky mix, Prince, from the SPCA of Niagara
in 2002. Shaw and Prince have been volunteering at Niagara Hospice for the past
three years, and also visit patients at Our Lady of Peace nursing home. When
adopted, Prince had been at the SPCA for five months.

"He's a great dog, the smartest I've ever
had," Shaw said. "Under the current regime (at the SPCA), he wouldn't have
lasted five months."

News from the SPCA's current board still
is being filtered through its spokesman, Buffalo attorney Paul Cambria.

Cambria couldn't be reached for comment on
the unhiring of Hobika or on the board's announcement that it expected to have
an interim director selected this week.

However, Morgan Dunbar, director of Animal
Allies of Western New York, said last week that immediately after the
announcement of Hobika's hiring, her email inbox filled up with messages from
people who were horrified by the prospect.

Lewiston businesswoman Shirley Carter said
many of her customers said their animals were former patients of Hobika and
that he was probably the poorest choice the SPCA could make to oversee the
animals.

"Everybody in Lewiston is writing
letters," she said.

Carter said too often Hobika's solution to
a problem was to put the animal down.

"Why they would put a radio disc jockey
(Board President Brandy Scrufari) in charge of choosing a vet for the SPCA, I
don't know," she added.

Carter, who heads up
Niagara Feline Friends, a no kill rescue shelter and adoption center in
Wheatfield, said she was surprised the SPCA board didn't take more notice of
what was going on at the shelter. "They all have to go!"

Carter also said she has talked to State
Sen. George Maziarz about having the "heart stick" method of euthanizing
animals outlawed in the state. That was the method used at the SPCA of Niagara.